Once again, the iconic staircase at the Metropolitan Museum of Art set the stage for fashion’s biggest night out—part runway, part cultural statement. The Met Gala returned with its signature blend of spectacle and intent, this year anchored by the theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’, inspired by Monica L. Miller’s Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.
Image courtesy: Vogue
The dress code, “Tailored for You,” was, according to the Met, “purposefully designed to provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.” Precision tailoring reigned, particularly in menswear, but so did individuality, led by the co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour.
Image courtesy: Hollywood Reporter
Image courtesy: Vogue
Image courtesy: Vogue
Though bags were a rarity on the carpet, those that made it to the steps definitely carried weight. While many opted for discreet satin clutches or classic choices to match their gowns, there was a distinct shift toward the unconventional. As expected, Louis Vuitton made a commanding presence on the carpet. Several attendees, including co-chair Pharrell Williams, donned custom looks from the Maison, a fitting flex given his role as Men’s Creative Director.
Read also: LV’s 2025 Met Gala Magic: What Handbags to Expect
Let’s break down the standout accessories of the night.
Speedy Styles: Everyone’s Favorite Bag at the Met Gala
Louis Vuitton’s signature Speedy bag was undoubtedly the star of the night, favored by many brand ambassadors and friends of the Maison. But it wasn’t just the Speedy that made a statement – other iconic LV bags arrived to party.
Image courtesy: @louisvuitton
Pharrell Williams, co-chair and Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Creative Director, let his statement-making pearl-adorned jacket do the talking. While he skipped accessories on the Met steps, Pharrell did bring a bag along for the event, but it was just not on the carpet. His choice? The iconic Speedy 25 Bandoulière is crafted in exotic crocodile leather in a deep burgundy.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Image courtesy: GQ Magazine
Meanwhile, his wife, Helen Lasichanh, made her own Speedy statement, matching Pharrell’s high-fashion energy with her own bold style. She carried a custom fur Speedy 25, featuring oversized monogram detailing and gold top handles.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Before she even set foot on the blue carpet, Rihanna had the internet in a chokehold. Stepping out of The Mark Hotel in a baby blue Miu Miu two-piece, the singer revealed her pregnancy with signature nonchalance. But amid the fanfare, we couldn’t help but clock the bag, though not carried by her directly, she was accompanied by the Louis Vuitton Speedy P9 Bandoulière 30 Bag in Summer Peach from the Spring/Summer 2025 menswear collection.
Read also: Pharrell Presents New Soft Leather Bags for Louis Vuitton Men’s S/S 2025
Image courtesy: Vogue
Image courtesy: Vogue
Another Louis Vuitton Speedy P9 Bandoulière stepped on the blue carpet, this time carried by Malcolm Washington. Styled handheld in a striking shade of blue, the bag appeared even more compact than the 25 size, with the traditional vachetta strap replaced by a sleek chain.
Image courtesy: @bazaarthailand
Lisa from BLACKPINK made her Met Gala debut in statement style, pairing her daring Louis Vuitton look with a black leather, pearl-encrusted monogram Speedy 25 from Pharrell’s Men’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection.
Read also: Pharrell Presents Louis Vuitton Men’s F/W 2024 Bags With Cowboy Cool
Image courtesy: @harpersbazaarhk
Following in the pearl-adorned footsteps of Lisa from BLACKPINK, Zendaya stunned at the Met Gala with one of the chicest looks of the night. Wearing Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams, a fitting choice given her status as a face of the Maison, she reportedly completed her ensemble with a Speedy evening bag, hand-encrusted with pearls. While she was bag-free on the carpet, the bag’s luxurious craftsmanship, paired with her Bulgari jewels, added an elegant finishing touch to her refined look.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Rapper Future exited The Mark Hotel en route to the Met, pairing his tweed Louis Vuitton ensemble with the soft, slouchy Speedy P9 Bandoulière in all black from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection. The bag featured upgraded red carpet styling, adorned with shimmering crystals on the black-on-black monogram.
Image courtesy: @wwd
Next up, Doechii downsized the Louis Vuitton Speedy. Perfectly matching her custom monogram and Damier Azur two-piece, the petite bag was crafted in a unique rendition of Damier in white and washed black, with glossy gold top handles replacing the usual vachetta leather.
Image courtesy: WWD
Sabrina Carpenter teased her Met Gala prep with a Louis Vuitton Damier hip flask. By the time she left The Mark Hotel, any nervous energy was replaced by full glamour and a daring ensemble. Draped in an oversized, floor-length fur coat, the pint-sized performer accessorized with a mini handheld Louis Vuitton trunk.
Image courtesy: @sabrinacarpenter
Image courtesy: @latestsabrina
Beyond the Louis Vuitton Line-Up
While Louis Vuitton dominated the selection of handbags, other choices extended into other luxury options.
Lauryn Hill brought an unexpected edge to tailoring in a butter-yellow suit with serious avant-garde energy. But it was her handbag that truly stopped us – a vibrant blue Hermès Kelly 28, adding a structured pop of color to an already standout ensemble. Proof that big bags can hit the Met steps.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Bad Bunny pushed the boundaries of red carpet accessorizing in his all-Prada ensemble, punctuated by an unusually large duffle bag from the brand’s Men’s Fall 2025 collection, boasting less evening wear, more statement luggage.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Another unconventional offering came from last year’s ‘mystery guest,’ Mona Patel. This year, she arrived in full custom Thom Browne, complete with the brand’s signature Hector dog bag in black leather.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Olivier Rousteing, the Creative Director of Balmain, arrived at the Met Gala alongside Rosalía, both dressed in Balmain. But it wasn’t just their looks that had people talking – it was Olivier’s accessory choice. He paired his sleek suit with a sewing machine bag. With its visible seam and apparent functionality (it does seem to open), the bag had viewers wondering, What’s inside?
Image courtesy: WWD
The White Lotus stars paired up on the runway, with Patrick Schwarzenegger sporting Balmain. He accessorized with an East-West deep red belt buckle clutch matching his actual belt, designs straight from the Fall/Winter 2025/26 runway.
Image courtesy: WWD
Gigi Hadid radiated as the golden girl in a Miu Miu look, referencing the iconic Josephine Baker dress designed by Zelda Wynn Valdes in the 1940s. While she didn’t carry it on the carpet, her assistant accompanied her with the Miu Miu Wander Mini Matelassé leather shoulder bag in the light gold shade, Pirite, adding a final golden touch to the ensemble.
Image courtesy: WWD
Halle Bailey brought timeless glamour to the 2025 Met Gala in a head-to-toe Coach look. Complementing her look, she carried a custom edition of the Coach Kisslock Clutch, crafted in matching bejeweled fabric with pinstripe beading.
Image courtesy: @harpersbazaarhk
Stella McCartney accompanied Mary J. Blige on the carpet, styling the star in a standout look. Stella kept things understated in white, ensuring the spotlight stayed on Mary, but still made a statement with a sleek silver metallic clutch, featuring gold-tone hardware – likely from her own label.
Image courtesy: WWD
Janelle Monáe made a dramatic entrance in a custom Paul Tazewell x Thom Browne ensemble, layered with a statement overcoat and sharp pinstripe suiting, complete with a bag. True to form, she didn’t skip the accessories, revealing a second look on the carpet, complete with the glossy black leather Mrs. Thom bag.
Image courtesy: @janellemonae
Image courtesy: @jovianzayne
Socialite Wendi Murdoch graced the Met Gala in a custom Thom Browne creation, featuring delicate gold embroidery and a netted headpiece. She completed her look with a mini Mrs. Thom bag in white leather, styled by its top handle. Meanwhile, daughter, Grace, also sported Thom Browne, this time styled with a white Hector bag.
Image courtesy: Financial Review
Whoopi Goldberg paired her striking black and white Thom Browne look with a matching two-tone clutch from the designer. The bag, featuring brogue-inspired detailing and gold-tone hardware, added an extra dose of dandyism to her look.
Image courtesy: InStyle
Though he didn’t carry a bag, Indian actor and film producer Shah Rukh Khan made his Met Gala debut count. Dressed in custom Sabyasachi, he layered on the accessories – a Patek Philippe watch, stacks of talismanic chains, and a crystal-studded 18K gold cane topped with a tiger head.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Spike Lee took an unconventional route with his Met Gala accessories, pairing his sharp suit with Nike Air Jordans and a silver Rimowa Original Aluminium Cross-Body Bag, styled across his torso.
Image courtesy: Out
Gina Alice Redlinger paired her monochrome look with a Timmy Woods piano clutch, which, at first glance, seemed like a Judith Leiber Swarovski crystal piece.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh brought regal flair to his Met Gala debut in custom Prabal Gurung. Forgoing a bag, he let his accessories do the talking: a feathered, jewel-studded turban, diamond-laced necklaces, and a lion-headed kirpan in place of a cane — a nod to tradition with unmistakable swagger.
Image courtesy: Vogue India
Kendall Jenner stood out in a chic slate gray Torishéju look, draped in diamonds, and finished the ensemble with a sleek black leather box clutch.
Image courtesy: @harpersbazaarhk
Anne Hathaway kept it minimalist with a sleek black patent clutch that complemented her elegant Carolina Herrera look, letting her ensemble shine without overdoing the accessories.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Megan Thee Stallion shimmered in silver, pairing her metallic ensemble with a matching textured box clutch, adding a bold touch to her already striking appearance.
Image courtesy: @harpersbazaarhk
Simone Biles lit up the carpet in an electric blue gown by Harbison Studio, paired with a matching box-shaped satin clutch adorned with Swarovski crystals.
Image courtesy: WWD
Sarocha Chankimha made an entrance in Valentino, pairing her embellished box clutch with her feather-trimmed look.
Image courtesy: @harpersbazaarhk
Maya Hawke, a Prada brand ambassador, looked pretty in pink, pairing her soft-toned ensemble with a matching pink satin top-handle evening bag – elegant, coordinated, and unmistakably Prada.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Lauren Santo Domingo embraced minimalism in chic ivory, accessorized with black accents, including a mini top-handle bag that has The Row vibes, adding a sleek and understated finish to her look.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Kerry Washington paired her crisp all-white tailoring with a sleek silver clutch—minimal in size, but striking in shine. The tactile metallic accessory added just the right contrast to her refined look.
Image courtesy: WWD
Never one to shy away from a bold Met Gala look, Gustav Magnar Witzøe accessorized with a transparent acrylic briefcase filled with red rose petals.
Image courtesy: Vogue
Sticking to florals, Jessica Kayll carried a petal-adorned top-handle bag. While her look didn’t quite hit the theme, the bag certainly matched the ensemble.
Image courtesy: Vogue
André 3000 made sure no one missed him with the accessory of the night: not a clutch, not a duffle, but a full-on piano strapped to his back. Talk about carrying the weight of the evening.
Image courtesy: The New York Times
Who do you think truly nailed the ‘Tailored for You’ dress code? Was it the sharp, classic tailoring or the more daring takes on the theme? Let us know who you think stole the spotlight.
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Updated: May 6th, 2025
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